EMG?

I was informed today that I will be having an EMG on my left shoulder and upper back later this week. Since I didn't know anything about the procedure, I researched it... I shouldn't have.

Electromyography, or EMG, involves testing the electrical activity of muscles. Often, EMG testing is performed with another test that measures the conducting function of nerves. This is called a nerve conduction study. Muscular movement involves the action of muscles and nerves and needs an electrical current.

During EMG, small pins or needles are inserted into muscles to measure electrical activity. The needles are different than needles used for injection of medications. They are small and solid, not hollow like hypodermic needles. Because no medication is injected, discomfort is much less than with shots. You typically will experience a mild and brief tingling or shock, which may be a bit unpleasant.

Needles, electricity, and mild shock... Sign me up!

Day 5

Drive - By Definition "To move along or advance quickly as if pushed by an impelling force"

At this point in my life, my impelling force is to get back home to my wonderful family. Nothing is or has been ever more important to me. Every set of weights, every therapist bend of my joints, every step of my therapy I have one consistent drive...

Day 4

Everyday, the schedule of therapies changes and your daily schedule comes with your breakfast. For the most part, my mornings are pretty light with the bulk of the work being right after lunch. When I'm done with my afternoon work, I'm ready for dinner and bed as soon as possible.

My schedule for today included heavy OT and PT. I transferred from chair to mat to chair to mat to chair to mat. Between transfers, heavy sessions of stretching and using muscles that I didn't know existed.

Today, my OT therapist says "It's nice outside, why don't we go outside today". I'm thinking, sure it's a beautiful day, we can wheel outside and sit in the sun. WRONG! OT outside means we will be going for a 1/2 mile long walk/roll uphill both ways to see what kind of stamina I have built up. (Built up since when? The 4 days that I've been here?)

I asked my nurse to take a picture so that I could show my wheelchair in the blog. As you can tell from the photo, she picked a good profession and should not try photography.

Acts of Kindness

I have witnessed amazing acts of love and caring throughout this entire ordeal. From the support of my wonderful family, the acts of kindness from complete strangers, and the amazing love and support from my beautiful wife. I could not have made it this far without everyone's love and support.

Angie and I were eating dinner last night in the common room and I noticed a couple just a few tables away from us. A young woman was carefully feeding her husband with a spoon. He was in a powered wheelchair and looked to have some type of brain injury in addition to his physical issues. Seeing this, certainly made me thankful that my injuries were not as severe and that I didn't sustain a brain injury. It was very obvious that she loved him unconditionally and was going to be there for him no-matter what.

What made me smile... is that I know... if I was in that same physical and mental situation... my wife... would be here just the same for me. Now that's true love.

Angie, I Love You So Much!

Wheelchair

For the last month or so, since I haven't been allowed to weight bear on my arms, I have been using a powered scooter at the nursing home. While this allowed me to be mobile, I didn't like the idea of using a "old persons hover-around" at 37 years old. During my first day of therapy here at Mary Free Bed, the therapist measured me and put me into a lightweight Ti Wheelchair. Whoo Hooo! I'm in a chair that doesn't make me look 80!
It's now been 3 days in a manual chair and while I am sore from pushing, I feel more free than I did before. I haven't pushed myself 100% of the time, Angie has been there when I get tired and helped get me around.

Mary Free Bed

Prequel: On May 10, 2011 I was involved in a motorcycle accident. I was traveling on a 2 lane highway when a driver in the oncoming lane attempted to pass a semi-truck. The driver swerved into my lane and we collided head-on. I fractured both of my arms, both of my wrists, my sternum, my pelvis in multiple areas. I also completely severed my spine at T-12. I spent a week in Memorial Hospital Intensive Care, 4 weeks in the main hospital, and 8 weeks in a nursing home.

Present Day: After 3 months of hospitals and nursing homes, I've finally made it to Mary Free Bed. My doctor finally cleared me to weight bear on both of my arm. In my first day here, I have learned more and progressed further than in anytime since the accident. The doctors, nurses, and therapists here are wonderful!
I have multiple therapy sessions 7 days a week.